Reflections Magazine Issue #69 - Spring 2009 | Page 23

Feature Article

Jacob Chi ’85
Outstanding Alumni
Award Winner
Why me?
After more than 25 years, Dr. Jacob Chi is still
asking that question. Former President Dr. Louis
Vaccaro had the answer when he offered the
Chinese musical prodigy a scholarship to come
to Siena Heights.
“He said, ‘Look, everybody in the world deserves
an opportunity. I thought you were the best
(person) to receive it.’ ”
The youngest concertmaster in the Beijing
Opera Company’s history at age 17, Chi was a
28-year-old accomplished violinist and composer when he arrived at Siena Heights.
He already had immense musical talent, however, there were some things he didn’t have that
Siena Heights could provide.
Following the path to America and Siena
Heights that his aunts, Margaret and Jane, took,
Chi spent his early days on campus learning the
English language.
With the yen, the Chinese currency, about 1/8
the value of the American dollar at the time, Chi
said money was always a priority. Along with the
scholarship he received, Chi worked as a dish
washer in the school cafeteria 20 hours a week
to help pay his expenses.
Graduating magna cum laude from Siena
Heights, Chi was a standout in the classroom.
However, it was the lessons he learned outside
the classroom that remain with him today.
“The value system Siena was trying to teach
me has benefited me the most,” Chi said. “Even
though today I am a Chinese American,
I will say I am an American now. I am an American citizen. I pay taxes. I like what Americans
like. ... You can call yourself middle class, but are
you a citizen or not? You (may) have a house,
you have two cars, you have all this, (but) it’s
what you do that is your identity. That is the
most important thing.”

“You (may) have a house, you have two cars, you
have all this, (but) it’s what you do that is your
identity. That is the most important thing.”
And Chi is doing plenty. He is currently professor of music at Colorado State UniversityPueblo. He is also the director of the Pueblo
Symphony and the Marquette (Mich.) Symphony. He guest conducts at musical productions
around the world, and applauds Siena Heights’
renewed focus on bringing international students to campus.

Nearly 30 years after arriving at Siena Heights,
Chi is still grateful for the opportunity Dr.
Vaccaro gave him.
“I asked (Dr. Vaccaro), ‘What do I have to do
to thank you for this?’” Chi said. “He said,
‘Be a good person.’ I think this is Americanism.
Now I tell people that who I am helping. I am
passing it on.” u

“Is it the right thing to do?” Chi said. “I would
say, yes, it’s the right thing to do because now we
call it a global economy. As a higher education
institution we have to take the challenge.”

Reflections Spring ’09

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